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PATRIOTIC SOCIETY SPECIAL EDITION. 
ILLUSTRATED. 



P roccedings 

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^t CoocJfs Bridge, Delaware, 

tmsdav JIfkrmon, SepUm^ 

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Warking tbe Spot wbere 
tbc Stars and Stnpes 
were first unfurled in 
battle, September 3d., 1777* 



PUBLISHED BY THE 

DELAWARE SOCIETY, SONS of the AMERICAN REVOLUTION, 

WILMINGTON, 

1902. 




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PAPERS OF THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF DELAWARE. 

XXXV. 



PROCEEDINGS AT THE UNVEILING OF THE MONU^ 
MENT AT COOCH'S BRIDGE, TUESDAY AFTERNOON, 
SEPTEMBER 3rd, 1901. ERECTED BY THE PATRI- 
OTIC SOCIETIES AND CITIZENS OF DELAWARE, 
MARKING THE SPOT WHERE THE STARS AND 
STRIPES WERE FIRST UNFURLED IN BATTLE, 
SEPTEMBER 3rd, 1777, 



Published by the Historical Society of Delaware. 



HISTORICAIv SOCIETY OF DEI/AWARE, 

WII,MINGTON. 
1902. 



THE JOHN M. ROGERS PRESS, WILMINGTON, DEL. 






p. 

Author* 



I 



PROGRAM. 



1. INVOCATION, TheRt. Rev. I,eighton Coleman, 

I.I.. D., 

Bishop of Delaware. 

2. Overture, <'BOYS IN BIvUE," First Regiment Band. 

3. HISTORICAI. ADDRESS, Henry C. Conrad, Esq., 

Librarian Historical Society of Delaware. 

4. UNVEII.ING OF THE MONUMENT 

by Masters Howard De Haven Ross, Jr. , 
and Francis Allyn Coocli, Jr. 

5. Solo, "STAR SPANGIvED BANNER," 

Miss Emma Ivore, 
Accompanied by FIRST REGIMENT BAND. 

6. PRESENTATION OF THE MONUMENT TO THE 

STATE OF DEI.AWARE 

by Hon. J. Wilkins Coocli. 

7. ACCEPTANCE OF THE MONUMENT 

by His Excellency John Hunn, 
Governor of Delaware. 

8. MARCH, "STARS AND STRIPES FOREVER," 

First Regiment Band. 

9. ADDRESS, Hon. Walter S. Eogan of New York, 

President-General National Society, 
Sons of the American Revolution. 

ID. MARCH, "CAIvVIN," First Regiment Band. 

11. ADDRESS, Gen. James H. Wilson, U.S. A. 

12. MARCH, "DIRECTORATE," First Regiment Band. 

13. ADDRESS, Robert G. Houston, Esq. 

14. MARCH, "FUI^TON," First Regiment Band. 

15. POEM, William Townsend Smithers, Esq. 

16. BENEDICTION, Rev. Thomas C. Potter. 

17. FINAI.E, "FANTAZIA," First Regiment Band. 



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EXERCISES. 



Chief Justice Lore, President of the Historical Society of 
Delaware, Presiding. 

Chief Justice lyOre: " The meeting will come to order, 
and we will ask and insist upon it that you will all have 
consideration enough for your neighbors to be quiet and not 
move about. We want everybody to hear. The exercises 
will be short, spicy, and very interesting. 

The first number on the program is an Invocation by 
the Right Rev. Leighton Coleman, Bishop of Delaware. You 
will all uncover while receiving the Invocation." 

INVOCATION. 



"O Almighty and everlasting God, who art the Creator 
and Ruler of all men, who fashioneth their hearts and consid- 
erest all their works, who alone hast perfect wisdom, 
strength, and holiness; hear us, we humbly beseech Thee, as 
we pray for Thine especial blessing this day upon our country 
and nation. Grant to us and to all the people of this land 
the spirit of ready obedience to Thy holy will and command- 
ments, that, walking devoutely in Thy fear, we may under 
Thy gracious protection, dwell continually in righteousness 
and peace. Bless the President of the United States, the 
Governor of this State, and all others in authority; endow- 
ing them with wisdom and integrity, and with a due sense 
of their accountibility to Thee. 



6 PROCEEDINGS AT THE UNVEILING 

As we now commemorate the first unfolding in battle of 
our national flag, so we implore Thee to grant that it may 
never be unfurled save in the cause of truth and equity. 
When we look upon it, may its blue remind us of the truer 
blue of Thine own exalted sky, and we be led to seek the 
more earnestly that heavenly kingdom in which they who 
have served Thee faithfully here shall shine as the stars in 
the firmament, for ever and ever. 

Save the Republic and Commonwealth from evil and 
designing men, from selfishness and corruption in our social 
and political life, from all sin, and crime, and vice. 

Prosper every good cause and purpose, overturning 
every bad one to the honour of Thy holy name. Give to 
those who labour and to such as employ them the spirit of 
firmness and good-will. Further all efforts in behalf of 
sound learning and true religion. 

And so help us all, we praj^ Thee, by our industry and 
fidelity to transmit unimpaired to future generations the 
goodly heritage which we have received from our fathers, 
that all the nations of the earth may know assuredly that 
we acknowledge Thee as our Saviour and Mighty Deliverer, 
and our Supreme Ruler for evermore. 

All this we beg, and whatsoever else may be needful and 
convenient for us, through Jesus Christ our I^ord. — Amen." 



Chief Justice Lore : ' 'The next number on the Program 
will be the Overture, "Boys in Blue," by the First Regi- 
ment Band." 




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OF THE COOCWS BRIDGE MEMORIAL. 7 

Chief Justice Ivore: "Tradition clothed the ground 
upon which we are gathered with special interest. It fixes 
this as the place where the Stars and Stripes were first 
unfurled in battle, September 3, 1777. The flag so un- 
furled, symbolized all the hopes of the infant nation, which 
was then founding the highest and best expression of human 
government, upon the responsible manhood unit; that is all 
power from the people. 

From that time the Stars and Stripes have been the ideal 
banner of freedom; the flag of hope for all people. Their 
significance and power lie in the principles and possibilities 
that they represent. They challenge the past, and invoke 
the future as the tests of their fruit and promise. We are 
here to-day, to unveil an enduring memorial of our love and 
devotion to that flag and all it represents. 

The thought of marking this spot emanated from one of 
Delaware's women, in a letter written by Mrs. Elizabeth 
Clarke Churchman, the Delaware State Regent of the 
Daughters of the American Revolution to Mr. Howard De 
Haven Ross, the Vice- President- General of the National 
Society, Sons of the American Revolution. Acting upon 
that suggestion, a public meeting was called and a committee 
appointed, under whose fostering care, aided by the gener- 
ous help of the patriotic societies and citizens of the State, 
that thought has grown into the granite reality now before 
us. 

So it comes, that our country's flag, moulded by 
Washington, fashioned by the hands of Betsy Ross, and 
here first raised in battle, has been chiseled in Delaware 
granite, to stand for all time upon this initial battle-field, as 
the token of our love and gratitude. 



8 PROCEEDINGS AT THE UNVEILING 

Honored as your Chairman, it is my privilege to 
extend to all a hearty welcome and to ask your interest and 
participation in the exercises which will not be long. The 
speeches will be short, pithy and full of interest to you. 

I have letters of regret from President McKinley ; 
Vice-President Roosevelt; Secretary of War, Root; Secretary 
of the Navy, Long; the Commanding General of the United 
States Army, I^ieutenant General Miles; Admiral Dewey, 
U. S. N.; U. S. Senator Fairbanks, and others. Follow- 
ing are the letters : 

PRESIDENT MCKINI.EY. 

Canton, O., August 12, 1901. — Hon. Charles B. Lore, 
chairman, &c., Wilmington, Delaware. — My Dear Sir: The 
President has received your favor of the 6th instant and 
requests me to thank you for the cordial invitation which 
you have been good enough to extend to him to attend the 
ceremonies at Cooch's Bridge, Delaware, September 3d, next. 

It would afford the President a great deal of pleasure to 
be present upon this occasion, and he very much regrets 
that plans already made will preclude him from sending an 
acceptance. 

With assurance of the President's appreciation of your 
thoughtfulness and courtesy, believe me, 
Very truly yours, 

George B. Cortei/You, 
Secretary to the President. 

VICE-PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT. 
Oyster Bay, L. I., August, 19, 1901. — Hon. Charles B. 
Lore, Chief Justice Supreme Court, Wilmington, Del. 

My Dear Judge Lore: I am just in receipt of your very 



OF THE COOCH'S BRIDGE MEMORIAL. 9 

attractive invitation of the 6th inst. , on my return from the 
West. I should greatly like to be present on the occasion 
referred to; but regret to say that on September 2d I am 
engaged at the State Fair at Minneapolis, Minn. I heartily 
appreciate your courtesy in thinking of me. 
Very sincerely yours, 

Thb^odore; Roosbvelt. 

SECRETARY OF WAR, ROOT. 

Secretar}' Root regrets that on account of the pressure 

of public business, it will be impossible for him to accept the 

courteous invitation of the patriotic societies and citizens of 

Delaware, to be present September 3d, at Cooch's Bridge, at 

the unveiling of a monument to mark the spot where the 

Stars and Stripes were first unfurled in battle, September 

3d, 1777- 

Washington, D. C, August 27th, 1901. 

SECRETARY OF THE NAVY, LONG. 

Hingham, Mass., Aug. 7, 1901. — My Dear Mr. Chief 
Justice: I have your kind letter and wish heartily I could 
accept the invitation it conveys to me to attend the meeting 
at Cooch's Bridge, Del., on September 3d, to unveil the 
memorial to the Stars and Stripes. 

I am, however, just starting to Maine for a much needed 
vacation and shall not return in time to avail myself of your 
courtesy. With thanks for it, with pleasantest remem- 
brances of our Congressional services together, I am, 
Verj^ truly yours, 

John D. Long. 
The Hon. Charles B. Lore. 



lo PROCEEDINGS AT THE UNVEILING 

GENERAL MILES, U. S. A. 
Headquarters of the Army, Washington, D. C, August 
15th, 1901. — Hon. Charles B. Lore, Wilmington, Del. — 
Dear Sir: I have your letter of the 6th inst., inviting me to 
be present at Cooch's Bridge, Delaware, on the occasion of 
the unveiling by the patriotic societies and citizens of Dela- 
ware of a granite memorial to mark the spot where the Stars 
and Stripes were first unfurled in battle in the Revolutionary 
War, which is to take place on September 3d, next, and 
regret very much that owing to my unexpected absence in 
the West at that time, it is impossible for me to accept the 
kind invitation. Very truly yours, 

Nelson A. Miles, 
Lieutenant-General. 

ADMIRAL DEWEY, U. S. N. 
Office of the Admiral, 1747 Rhode Island Avenue, 
Washington, D. C, Aug. 7th, 1901. — Dear Sir: Just before 
leaving the city this morning on his vacation, Admiral 
Dewey received your letter of yesterday, asking him to be 
present at the unveiling of a granite memorial, at Cooch's 
Bridge, Del. , to mark the spot where the Stars and Stripes 
were first unfurled in battle, in the Revolutionary War, 
which is to take place on September 3d, next. The Admiral 
directed me to acknowledge this letter and to thank you for 
your courtesy, as well as to express his regret that his 
absence in the North will prevent him from accepting. 
Very respectfully, 
J. W. Crawford, Lieut. U. S. N., 

Secretary to the Admiral. 
Hon. Charles B. Lore, Wilmington, Del. 



OF THE COOCH'S BRIDGE MEMORIAL. ii 

U. S. SENATOR FAIRBANKS. 
Indianapolis, Aug. 27th, 1901. — Dear Mr. Lore: I find 
that it will be absolutely impossible for me to be with you 
on the 3d of September. I wish you a most agreeable and 
successful occasion. 

Very sincerely yours, 

Charlks W. Fairbanks. 
Hon. Charles B. Lore, Wilmington, Del. 



Chief Justice Lore: "We will now listen to an 
Historical Address by Henry C. Conrad, Esq., Librarian of 
the Historical Society of Delaware, who is an authority 
upon Delaware History." 



PROCEEDINGS A T THE UNVEILING 



HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 



Mr. Chairman, Ladiks and Genti^emkn: 

The ground upon which we stand to-day is consecrated 
ground; made so by the valor and heroism of our forefathers 
whose lives and sacred honor were pledged to freedom's 
cause a century and more ago, and whose blood was shed 
on this very spot in upholding the independence of the 
struggling American Colonies. 

When Ivord Howe and his English squadron of 266 
sail started from New York on the 17th of July, 1777, there 
was much conjecture on the part of the American authorities 
as to the destination of the expedition. It was presumed 
that the objective point was Philadelphia, but when two 
weeks later the fleet sailed by the mouth of the Delaware 
Bay, bound in a Southerly direction, the uncertaint)^ was 
increased. Washington, and several of his closest advisers, 
thought that Howe was bound for Charleston, South 
Carolina, while others thought that Gen. Howe's designs 
were ultimately against New England, notwithstanding his 
eccentric movements. During this uncertainty General 
Nathaniel Greene wrote "This is a curious campaign; in 
the Spring we (the Southern army) had the enem}^ about 
our ears every hour; the Northern army could neither see 
nor hear any enemy, now they have got the enemy about 
their heads and we have lost ours, compelled to wander 
about the country like Arabs in search of them." 

"On August 22nd, thirty-six days after Lord Howe had 
sailed from New York, his fleet was reported high up the 



OF THE COOCH'S BRIDGE MEMORIAL. 13 

Chesapeake Bay, and on the 25th, the fleet came to anchor and 
the British troops were landed on Elk Neck nearly opposite 
Court House Point. Howe's force consisted of 16,000 troops 
and 1,000 artillery, making a total of 17,000 men. The 
most carefully written description of this expedition, of 
which I know, is contained in the journal which has been 
preserved of Captain John Montresor, Chief of Engineers 
of Howe's Army. His journal for August 25th, and the 
two days following contains the following: 

"Sunday 25th, This day August 25th, 1777, landed at 
head of Elk. This morning at half-past nine the Van of 
the fleet, came to an anchor opposite Cecil Court House and 
Elk Ferry and in half an hour the Flat Bottomed Boats 
made good their landing at the Ferry House called Elk 
Ferry in the Province of Maryland, the rebels consisting 
only of four companies militia under a Colonel Rumsey fled 
without firing a shot. The troops hutted with Rails and 
Indian Corn stalks, no baggage or camp equipage admitted. 
Came on about ten this night a heavy storm of rain, 
lightning and thunder. The wind being Southerly brought 
up the Fleet a short time after the landing. The Army 
surprisingly healthy after so long a voyage and in such a 
climate — the return of the sick are about four to each 
Battalion, very little stock collected, and imperfect accounts 
of the situation of the enemy. Inhabitants in numbers and 
well dressed at Cecil Court House Point. Troops landed 
with sixty rounds per man. 

"26th, No motion, — no inhabitants having deserted 
their houses and drove off their stock. Orders this evening 
for the troops to march to-morrow morning at 3.00 o'clock. 
A very heavy storm all this night of thunder, lightning and 



14 PROCEEDINGS AT THE UNVEILING 

rain at North East. The shoalness of the Elk convinced 
the Rebels that our fleet would never navigate it, but through 
the great abilities of our naval officers it was happily effected 
although the bottom was muddy and the ships on it were 
cutting channels through it for each other. 

"27th, The storm continuing most of the morning the 
order for marching was countermanded. The roads heavy 
and the horses were carrying the soldiery not sufficiently 
refreshed and great part of their ammunition damaged, made 
it upon the whole no delay. Our Galley up the Elk fired at 
a boat that had taken one of ours. No inhabitants as yet 
came in. A man-o-' war's boat and midshipmen taken by 
the Rebels, the men being on East shore for milk, etc. The 
Galley fired but could not recover them. This night cold. 
The Guards only had sixteen thousand cartridges damaged 
by the storm." 

On August 22nd, information reached the American 
Army of the arrival of the British Fleet in the Chesapeake. 
The American Army was at that time encamped in 
Neshaminy, in Warwick Township, Bucks County, about 
twenty miles north of Philadelphia. Orders were issued for 
the army to proceed at once to Chester. On the morning of 
the 23rd, the army moved down the old York Road, and that 
night they had reached Germantown where they encamped 
for the night. The next day the army marched through 
Philadelphia with General Washington at its head, he having 
given express orders that the men should be drawn out in 
long array, in order to impress the populace with its size and 
importance. That day the army advanced as far as Darby, 
and the next day continued its march through Chester and 
Naaman's Creek to Wilmington, On reaching Wilmington, 



OF THE COOCH'S BRIDGE MEMORIAL. 15 

Washington took up his headquarters on Quaker Hill, in a 
house which for many years afterwards stood on the West 
side of West street, midway between Third and Fourth 
streets. The army encamped on the high ground lying 
north of the present Delaware Avenue, between Harrison 
and Clayton streets. Washington continued his headquarters 
at Wilmington until the 9th of September, the army in the 
meantime having taken post on the North side of White 
Clay Creek and on the East side of the Red Clay Creek in 
the immediate vicinity of Stanton and Kiamensi, with 
pickets out as far as Christiana Bridge. The following 
letters were sent by Washington while his headquarters were 
in Wilmington: 

"Wilmington, 6 p. m., August 25, 1777. Washington 
to President of Congress. Green's and Stephen's divisions 
are within a few miles of this place. I shall order them 
to march immediately here. I do not know what number of 
militia of this state is yet collected, but I am told they turn 
out with great alacrity. I propose to view the grounds 
towards the enemy in the morning. I am yet a stranger to 
to them." 

"Wilmington, 6 p. m., August 25, 1777. Washington 
to General Armstrong. I have just received information 
that the enemy began to land this morning about six miles 
below the head of Elk opposite to Cecil Court House. I 
desire you to send off every man of the militia under your 
command, that is properly armed, as quick as possible." 

"Wilmington, 27th of August. Washington to Presi- 
dent of Congress. I this morning returned from Head of 
Elk which I left last night. In respect to the enemy I have 
nothing new to communicate. They remain where they 



i6 PROCEEDINGS A T THE UNVEILING 

debarked first. I could not find out from inquiry what 
number is landed nor form an estimate from the distant view 
I had from their encampment. But few tents were to be 
seen from Iron Hill and Grey's Hill, which are the only 
eminences about Klk." 

"Wilmington, 29th of August. Washington to Presi- 
dent of Congress. On my return to this place last evening 
from White Clay Creek, I was honored with yours of the 
27th. 

The enemy advanced a part of their army yesterday 
to Grey's Hill about two miles on this side of Elk; whether 
they intend to take post there or to cover while they remove 
what stores they found in the town, I cannot yet determine." 

"Wilmington, August 30. Washington to President of 
Congress. Since I had the honor of addressing you yester- 
day, nothing of importance has occurred, and the enemy 
remain as they were. I was reconnoitering the country and 
different roads all yesterday and am now setting out on the 
same business again. 

Sensible of the advantages of light troops I have 
formed a corps under the command of a Brigadier by draft- 
ing a hundred men from each brigade which is to be con- 
stantly near the enemy and to give them every possible 
annoyance." 

"Wilmington, 8 p. m., 3 of Sept., 1777. Washington 
to President of Congress. This morning the enemy came 
out with a considerable force and three pieces of artillery 
against our light advanced corps and after some pretty smart 
skirmishing obliged them to retreat being far superior in 
numbers, and without cannon. The loss on either side is 
not yet ascertained, ours, though not exactly known, is not 



OF THE COOCH'S BRIDGE MEMORIAL. 17 

very considerable; theirs, we have reason to believe, was 
much greater as some of our parties composed of expert 
marksmen had opportunity of giving them several close, 
well directed fires, more particularly in one instance, when 
a body of riflemen formed a kind of ambuscade. They 
advanced about two miles this side of Iron Hill and then 
withdrew to that place, leaving a picket at Cooch's Mill 
about a mile in front. Our parties now lie at White Clay 
Creek, except the advanced pickets which are at Christiana 
Bridge. On Monday a large detachment of the enemy 
landed at Cecil Court House and this morning I had advice 
of their having advanced on the New Castle Road as far as 
Carson's tavern. Parties of horse were sent out to recon- 
noiter them which went three miles beyond the Red I^ion, 
but could neither see nor hear of them, whence I conjecture 
they filed off by a road to their left and fell in with their 
main body. The design of their movement this morning 
seems to have been to disperse our light troops, who had 
been troublesome to them, and to gain possession of Iron 
Hill; to establish a post there most probably for covering 
their retreat in case of accidents. ' ' 

"Wilmington, September 7, 1777. Washington to 
Major General Heath. Since General Howe's debarkation 
in Elk River he has moved on about seven miles; his main 
body now lies at Iron Hill, and ours near a village called 
Newport. In this position the armies are from eight to ten 
miles apart. It is yet very uncertain what General Howe's 
plan of operation will be." 

Eight Miles from Wilmington, Sept. 9, 1777. Wash- 
ington to President of Congress. ' * The enemy advanced 
yesterday with a seeming intention of attacking us upon our 



i8 PROCEEDINGS AT THE UNVEILING 

post near Newport. We waited for them the whole day; 
but they halted in the evening at a place called Milltown, 
about two miles from us. Upon reconnoitering their situa- 
tion, it appeared probable that they only meant to amuse us in 
front while their real intent was to march by our right, and, 
by suddenly passing the Brandywine and gaining the heights 
upon the North side of that river get between us and Phila- 
delphia, and cut us off from that city. To prevent this, it 
was judged expedient to change our position immediately. 
The army accordingly marched at two o'clock this morning 
and will take post this evening upon high ground near 
Chadd's Ford." 

The following items from the Journal of L,ieut. James 
McMichael of the Pennsylvania lyine show^s the movements 
of the American army after its arrival in Delaware: 

"August 26. At 4 A. M. We marched from our 
encampment to Brandywine Bridge, near Wilmington, when 
turning N. N. W., we proceeded a few miles and encamped 
near the East bank of the creek. Here I was ordered on 
Court Martial duty. Here we also learned, that the enemy 
had landed and were encamped at Iron Hill. 

"August 27. Received orders this evening to march 
next day to White Clay Creek. 

August 28. We marched from our encampment at 4 
A. M., and proceeded thro' Wilmington, Newport and Rising 
Sun (Cecil county, Maryland) encamped in White Clay 
Creek Hundred, where we learned the enemy were near 
Newark and had driven in the militia. Here we lay under 
arms, without tents or blankets, the wagons were left in the 
rear. A detachment of 150 men were sent out from Weedon's 



OF THE COOCH'S BRIDGE MEMORIAL. 19 

brigade to observe the movements of the enemy. We expect 
a general attack to-morrow. 

"August 29. At 3 A. M., we marched from White Clay- 
Creek proceeded N. K. a few miles up the I^ancaster road, 
then turning marched to the heights of Newport, on Red 
Clay Creek, where we took post. Our scouting party 
returned with 14 regulars, prisoners. They gave us to 
understand that their army was not advancing, but that 
they intended shortly to attempt the conquest of Philadel- 
phia. Our encampment here was exceedingly beautiful, 
and being chiefly surrounded by Whig inhabitants, was to 
us very agreeable. 

"September 2. An express arrived at 6 a. m. with the 
news that the enemy were advancing. We struck tents and 
marched to an advantageous height at the intersection of the 
roads leading to Newport and Wilmington and remained 
under arms to 3 p. m. when we learned that the enemy had 
advanced to the heights near Christiana Bridge and halted. 
Orders were issued to cook our provisions and to be ready to 
march at a moments notice. 

"September 6. This morning I was sent out to recon- 
noiter. Proceeded to Newport, thence to Artillery Park, 
and afterwards reached our advanced detachment, where I 
was informed that in the late skirmish three of our regiment 
were killed and one wounded. At evening returned to 
camp. 

"September 7. Agreeably to general orders of the day, 
the officers' chests and heavy baggage were sent over Brandy- 
wine and everything prepared for the expected attack to- 
morrow. 

"September 8. At 3 a. m. the General was beat and 



20 PROCEEDINGS A T THE UNVEILING 

all tents struck. All the regiments were paraded, the men 
properly formed with an ofl&cer at the head of every platoon, 
and after wheeling to the right, we remained under arms 
until 9 o'clock. Then the alarm guns were fired and the 
whole army drawn up in line of battle, on the east side of 
Red Clay Creek, with Gen. Green's division to the right. 
Here we remained for some time, when Gen. Weedon's 
brigade (of which my regiment was a part) was detached 
to the front to bring on the attack. We crossed the Creek 
and marched about a league to an eminence near Mr. 
Mecannon's meeting house, and there awaited the approach 
of the enemy, who were within a half a mile of us. They 
however, encamped, which occasioned us to remain under 
arms all night, the sentries keeping up a constant fire. One 
of our officers on picket, deserted his post and was 
immediately arrested. 

"September 9. At 4 A. m. we received marching orders 
and proceeded E. N. E. to the Crooked Billet, on the great 
road from Wilmington to Lancaster; thence thro' Kennett 
Township, Chester County, crossed the Brandywine and 
turning S. E. encamped in the township of Birmingham, 
being extremely fatigued for want of rest and severe 
marching. ' ' 

I have come across an interesting description of the 
location of the American army while it was encamped in 
Delaware, written by Daniel Byrnes of Doylestown, Pa., in 
1842. Daniel Byrnes was a son of Caleb Byrnes, who about 
1773 became one of the owners of the Red Clay Creek Mill 
near Stanton, and the story had evidentlj^ been handed down 
from father to son, the father having lived at Red Clay 
Creek Mill during the encampment. 



OF THE COOCH'S BRIDGE MEMORIAL. 21 

"Soon after father and mother settled at this place there 
came some trying times. A few days previous to the Battle 
of Brandy wine, General Washington, with all his American 
army, were camped on the rising ground before our door 
and round to White Clay Creek Bridge and farther west- 
ward; the cannon were placed on this rise of ground for half 
a mile as thick as they could stand. General Washington's 
headquarters was at Wm. Marshall's about the center of his 
army (which is near the present Meeting House in Stanton.) 
The British army had landed below Elkton and was coming 
up the post road towards Christiana bridge, and was hourly 
expected to appear in the front of the American army, about 
a mile and a half distant from them. Uncle Daniel's home 
and mill were right on the road about three quarters of a mile 
south of the American army, what a situation his and 
father's family were in, at this juncture the battle was 
expected to commence every hour. The officers requested 
father to remove the family for they said the house would 
be shot down or be torn to pieces with the cannon balls. 
Many families removed their goods up some miles into the 
country. Uncle Daniel and our family remained, and I have 
heard my mother say that she intended when the battle 
began to take us children down into the cellar under a large 
arch which was under the chimney. When the British army 
arrived at Christiana bridge three miles south of us, they 
then left the road and went up north, intending to go around 
the American army six miles above. Information was soon 
given to General Washington of this and next morning by 
daylight the whole American army was gone; they took the 
road by the Brandy wine Springs and arrived at Chadd's 
Ford before the British where a battle took place and we 
will leave them." 



22 PROCEEDINGS A T THE UNVEILING 

Another interesting episode tliat touches this period, 
I ran across some years ago in looking up the data for a 
biographical sketch of the Rev. Thomas Read, one of the 
early pastors at the Old Drawyer's Meeting House, near 
Odessa. It is as follows: — "On the 25th of August, 1777, 
the British army embarked at Elk Ferry. Gen. Washington 
was encamped near Stanton, about six miles below Wilming- 
ton. A smart skirmish at Cooch's Bridge between the out- 
posts, and within five miles of Washington's encampment, 
gave the first intimation of the dangerous proximity of the 
enemy. To give battle in such a position with our raw 
troops against disciplined veterans, would prove ruinous; to 
retreat by the high road, with a well appointed and regular 
army hanging on the rear, might prove more disastrous than 
a pitched battle. Every precaution therefore was made for 
departure, but how to retreat was the great question and 
demanded a speedy solution. The geographical information 
of the neighbors did not extend beyond the limits of the con- 
tiguous farms, and the roads to the nearest markets; and no 
information could be obtained. Between eleven and twelve 
o'clock at night a council of war was called, and while the 
greatest anxiety prevailed. Colonel Duff, a gallant ofl&cer 
then acting as one of Washington's staff, entered the room 
and exclaimed: "I know the man that can extricate us." 
' ' Mount and bring without a moment's delay, ' ' was the order, 
and immediately the Colonel was on his way to execute it. 
After traveling five miles, he reached the house of Mr. Read 
at twelve o'clock at night roused him from his bed, and in 
ten minutes his horse was at the door and he in the saddle, 
and both under whip and spur for the camp. In half an 
hour they had gone over the whole distance, notwithstanding 



OF THE COOCH'S BRIDGE MEMORIAL. 23 

an exceedingly bad road, and Mr. Read was introduced to 
Washington in his tent. He mapped out for the General, 
within a small space, the whole adjacent country, and all 
the cross and by-roads accurately marked, and by this means 
the General affected a safe retreat to the Brandy wine. ' ' 

Historians have given but little attention to the engage- 
ment that took place at Cooch's Bridge, September 3d, 1777, 
due largely to the fact that the important engagement at 
Brandy wine occured only a week later, and the participants 
in the engagement in this place either failed to record in 
detail the occurrences of the day or else such recorded occur- 
rences have been lost or mislaid and up to this time do not 
seem to have seen the light of day. Captain Montresor 
whom I have quoted before gives the following account in 
his journal: 

"September 3d. Weather fine but cool early. At day- 
break the whole under march, except two brigades with 
Major General Grant, took the lower road to Christine, by 
the way of Aikin's Tavern, in order to avoid Iron Hill. At 
this tavern we were to be joined by the troops under General 
Knyphausen but did not perceive them. About a mile 
beyond the country is close — the woods within shot of the 
road frequently in front and flank and in projecting points 
towards the road. Here the rebels began to attack us about 
9 o'clock with a continued irregular fire for nearly two miles. 
The body of the rebels consisted of 1 20 men from each of the 
6 brigades, making 720 men of what they call their regulars, 
together with i ,000 militia and Philadelphia I^ight Horse; but 
the 720 men who were principally engaged were opposed by 
the Chasseurs and i battallion of L/ight Infantry only; the 



24 PROCEEDINGS AT THE UNVEILING 

other battallion of infantry, which, was sent to surround the 
rebels, through some mistake was led so far on our right as 
to find an impassable swamp between them and the army, 
which prevented this little spirited affair becoming so 
decisive. The rebels left about twenty dead, among which 
was a captain of I^ord Sterling's Regiment. We had three 
men killed and twenty wounded, amongst which was Lieut. 
Haldane, Engineer, and three more officers. The rebel 
deserters since come in say they lost five Captains. This 
body of the enemy was commanded by General Maxwell. 
At 2 the whole encamped. Headquarters, Aikin's Tavern. 
Lord Cornwallis' to Cooch's Mill on the little Christiana, 
where the rebels had a post this morning which we drove 
them from. The guards on Iron Hill, Dunlop, the Hessian 
Grenadiers, together with the British and all the light 
troops on the opposite side of the creek about one mile. 
The middle of this day excessive hot. Accounts just 
after this skirmish was oyer, Lieut. -General Knyphausen's 
body had arrived at Aikin's Tavern. This spot is in the 
Welsh Tract we called Penn-Cadder. Lieut. -General Kny- 
phausen's encampment formed a kind of 2nd line to us; 
two or three shots exchanged in the night. Total of cattle 
taken and now brought in by Lieut. -Genl. Knyphausen 
amounts to 509 head of horned cattle; 1000 sheep and 100 
horses, but not above forty of these was fit for draught." 

John Marshall, who at that time was in Washington's 
army and who afterwards became the distinguished Chief 
Justice of the United States, gives the following account 
of the battle of Cooch's Bridge in his Life of General 
Washington: 

"Morgan's regiment of riflemen, which had been found 



OF THE COOCH'S BRIDGE MEMORIAL. 25 

particularly useful during the incursion into Jersey, had 
been detached to the Northern army, a corps of light 
infantry was formed of 9 officers, 8 sergeants, and 100 rank 
and file from each brigade the command of which was given 
to General Maxwell, who in the course of the last Winter 
had acquired some reputation as a partisan. This corps was 
advanced to Iron Hill, about three miles in front of White 
Clay Creek, and extending towards Aiken's Tavern. The 
cavalry, consisting of four regiments amounting to about 
900 men, including persons of everj^ description, were 
employed principally on the lines in watching the enemy, 
gaining intelligence and picking up stragglers. 

The movement intended to be made by General 
Howe on the 3d of September was discovered from his 
previous arrangements; and it was recommended by the 
Commander-in-Chief to General Maxwell to post a choice 
body of men in the night, on an advantageous part of the 
road, in order to annoy him on the march. In the morning 
of the 3d, General Grant being left with 6 battalions at the 
head of Elk, to guard the baggage and preserve a com- 
munication with the shipping, two divisions under Lord 
Cornwallis and Genl. Knyphausen moved forward, and 
formed a junction about Pencader or Atkin's Tavern where 
they encamped with the right at Pencader, and the left 
extending across the Christiana towards Newark. In their 
way the column under Lord Cornwallis fell in with, and 
attacked Maxwell, who made a short resistance, and then 
retreated over White Clay Creek, with a loss of about forty 
killed and wounded. The loss sustained by the British, as 
stated in the official letter of Sir William Howe, was only 
three killed and nineteen wounded. The opinion of the 



26 PROCEEDINGS AT THE UNVEILING 

Americans, corroborated by accounts from the country peo- 
ple, ascribe to their arms in this skirmish, much more 
effect." 

As the official dispatches from Washington show, which 
I have quoted above, the whole country between Wilming- 
ton and Klkton was thoroughly reconnoitered by Washing- 
ton and his faithful division commanders, among the latter 
being Genl. Nathaniel Green whose Biographer in speaking 
of the operations in this vicinity gives the following 
incidents: 

"Thus, hastening forward, Washington soon found him- 
self as near the enemy as he cared to bring the main body 
of his forces without a more accurate knowledge of their 
position. Then with Greene and I^afayette and their aides 
he went forward to reconnoiter. Grey's Hill and Iron Hill 
were the only spots in the neighborhood of Klkton, high 
enough to command an extensive view, and from these the 
American officers looked long and anxiously southeastward, 
where a few tents, with the British flag waving haughtily 
over them, were the only signs of the invader that the eye 
could detect. How many were landed or how soon they 
would be prepared to push forward it was impossible to ascer- 
tain. Night came upon the little party as they turned their 
horses' heads homewards and with it a sudden tempest of 
wind and rain. Washington sought with his companions the 
shelter of a neighboring farm house. It was a gloomy even- 
ing, with the black storm without and the crowded little room 
within, clothes drenched with rain, and uppermost in every 
mind, but Washington's, the fear that some partisan of the 
enemy might secretly bring him down upon them as he had 
been brought down upon I^ee not a twelfth month before. 




VIEWS AT COOCH'S BRIDGE. 



OF THE COOCH'S BRIDGE MEMORIAL. 27 

But the night passed away without any alarm, though sleep- 
less for Greene, and at daybreak they were all in the saddle 
again, glad to feel their horses under them and see an open 
road before them; and then as he set spurs to his steed, 
Washington frankly avowed that he had made a lucky 
escape and done an imprudent thing." 

Thus have I given you in detail the particulars of the 
engagement that took place on this ground one hundred and 
twenty-four years ago to-day, as the same have come down 
to us in the record of the historian, and in the chronicles of 
the participants and of the neighborhood. 

Our mission to-day is two fold, first to commemorate 
the only battle fought on Delaware soil, and to celebrate the 
baptism of the first American flag as it was borne proudly 
forth in the forefront of a battle. True it is that at the 
extreme southeastern corner of the State there was a battle 
in the war of 18 12, when a wanton attack was made by the 
British upon the quaint old settlement at lycwes, but that 
was a naval engagement wherein 

The commander and all his men 
Shot a dog and killed a hen. 

But here by the banks of the placid head waters of the 
Christiana a veritable battle was fought, and while its 
importance has been overshadowed by the magnitude of the 
Battle of Brandywine, which followed so closely afterwards, 
yet here was a contest that deserves to be remembered and 
which we are justified in preserving for our children's 
children. Just here, where we are assembled, and to the 
westward, stretching to the South as far as Glasgow and to 
the northward nearly to Newark was posted the British army 



28 PROCEEDINGS A T THE UNVEILING 

under the command of Sir William Howe, an astute and 
brilliant military commander. With him were Generals 
Cornwallis, Knyphausen and Grant, all trained and efficient 
military men. He had with him an army of 17,000 men 
well armed and equipped. They were all here, an army of 
17,000. It was a martial array. 

Yonder on the highlands, west of Newport with its 
right wing resting on the White Clay Creek just west of 
Stanton, and its left near the village of Newport (the main 
army being on the east side of the Red Clay Creek, near the 
present Kiamensi Mill) the American army of 11,000 men 
was entrenched, under the command of that greatest of all 
commanders, our great and only Washington. With 
Washington was the greatest of the military chieftains that 
the Revolutionary war produced — Genl. Nathaniel Green 
was there, the plain but interpid Quaker who dared to take 
up arms even though threatened with discipline by the 
Friends meeting in which he claimed a birth right member- 
ship. He and Washington differed as to the location of the 
American encampment, but not seriously — Genl. Benjamin 
Ivincoln was one of the division commanders; and lyord 
Stirling the head of another division, was one of the most 
trusted of Washington's Generals. Commanding one of the 
brigades was General Anthony Wayne, "Mad Anthony," 
bold and gallant, who made so much reputation in the storm- 
ing of Stony Point. Henry Knox, Peter Muhlenburg and 
William Maxwell were other brigade commanders. I have 
seen a copy of a letter written by Anthony Wayne while 
the army was encamped in Delaware, suggesting to the 
Commander-in-Chief that where it could be done, that no 
mode of warfare brought better results than for a detach- 



OF THE COOCH'S BRIDGE MEMORIAL. 29 

ment of trained troops to be sent to attack and harrass the 
enemy's marching lines. Whether this letter from Wayne 
led to the course that was pursued here I do not know, 
but after the American Army was safely posted behind the 
Red Clay Creek, Washington directed General William 
Maxwell to select a detachment of picked men from the 
different brigades and advance to the lines of the British 
army with express directions "to be constantly near the 
enemy and to give them every possible annoyance. ' ' The 
presumption is that they followed these instructions so fully, 
that Howe concluded if possible to get rid of them, and 
after three or four days of this kind of warfare, Maxwell's 
advanced corps found itself on the morning of September 
3rd, confronted not only with the major part of Howe's 
army but the artillery of the enemy was also brought into 
requisition. Montresor, in his journal, says that Maxwell's 
light force kept up a continuous irregular fire for nearly two 
miles," showing how effectively they were keeping "close 
to the enemy and giving them every possible annoyance." 
It was an engagement of no mean proportions — Washington 
speaks of it as "pretty smart skirmishing." The British 
Army extended from Glasgow on the South to a point 
beyond the Welsh Tract Baptist Meeting on the North and 
along this entire line Maxwell's light force was actively 
harrassing the enemy and it was only after the cannon of 
the British began to do their deadly work that Maxwell 
deemed it policy to fall back. This movement of Maxwell, 
however, had the effect desired; it prevented the British 
Army from advancing; it impeded their progress; for after 
the encounter here September 3rd, what seems to have been 
the beginning of the march of the British to Philadelphia 



30 PROCEEDINGS AT THE UNVEILING 

suddenl)^ stopped, and the whole British Army was ordered 
to encamp, which it did in this immediate vicinity, resting 
here five days until September 8th, when the march began 
to the Northward through Newark. 

Washington had entrenched himself behind Red Clay 
Creek. "Cannon were placed on this rise of ground for half 
a mile, as thick as they could stand," says Byrnes, referring 
to the ridge bordering the Northerly side of White Clay 
Creek at Stanton. The evident design of this was to guard 
the Old King's Road toward Philadelphia, which runs from 
Christiana to Stanton and then to Newport. This was the 
direct route for Howe to go. Montresor tells us that Howe 
ordered his whole army to go by the lower road, from Aiken's 
Tavern (Glasgow) to Christiana Bridge, the seeming intent 
of Howe being at that time to take the most direct road to 
Philadelphia. The right wing of his army reached Christiana, 
but there Howe seems to have discovered how firmly Wash- 
ington' s forces were entrenched, for he went no further in 
an easterly direction, but his whole force veered in a north- 
westerly direction, towards Hockessin, the different divisions 
using various routes for that purpose. Washington expected 
the decisive battle to be fought at Red Clay Creek for under 
date of September 9th, in his dispatch to the President of 
Congress, Washington says, ' 'The enemy advanced 5'esterday 
with a seeming intention of attacking us upon our post near 
Newport. We waited for them the whole day. ' ' 

Michael, in his Journal, says, "The American armj^ 
was drawn up in line of battle for several hours on Septem- 
ber 8th, momentarily expecting the arrival of the enemy. 
It was only after one wing of the enemy was dicovered at 
Milltown, about two miles from the American Encampment, 



OF THE COOCH'S BRIDGE MEMORIAL. 31 

that the idea of a general engagement on Delaware soil 
was abandoned, and the order given by the Commander-in- 
Chief to strike tents and march up the Brandy wine with the 
object in view of meeting the forces of Howe, and prevent- 
ing them from getting between the American army and 
Philadelphia. 

The two great armies came together at Chadd's Ford 
on September nth, and there after a battle that lasted 
during the entire day the American army was forced to fall 
back to Chester. 

General William Maxwell, the hero of the battle of 
Cooch's Bridge (long live his memory), has been in his grave 
for over a century. Born of sturdy Irish parentage he came 
with his parents when a lad and settled in our neighboring 
State of New Jersey. He was forty-four years of age when 
he made the sally on the British lines at this place. I had 
hoped to find that he had left behind him an account in 
detail of this engagement. Coming from him, his account 
of it would have been full of interest for us of to-day, but 
with the strange perversity of fate, Gen. Maxwell's house, 
near Phillipsburg, in New Jersey, took fire soon after the 
close of the Revolution, and all his valuable papers and cor- 
respondence were destroyed. We have only the fragments 
of history left, but from them we are able to testify to the 
e£&ciency he showed as a military commander, and to believe 
that he was a brave devoted man. 

The flag of the United States had its statutory begin- 
ning on June 14, 1777, when Congress adopted the following 
resolution: 

' 'R:esoiyVE;D, That the flag of the thirteen United States 
shall be 13 stripes, alternate red and white. That the union 



32 PROCEEDINGS A T THE UNVEILING 

be 13 stars, white, in a blue field, representing a new con- 
stellation." 

On August 2d, following, a short skirmish or rally 
occurred at Fort Stanwix, New York, in which the Ameri- 
cans floated a rudely devised flag. But all historians 
agree that the flag floated on that occasion was merely an 
improvised one, and in no sense a complete and regular flag 
of the United States. 

The engagement that took place here on the 3d, of 
September, 1777, was the first, after the adoption of 
the flag where the American forces were drawn up in line 
of battle in front of the opposing army. The records tell us 
that when Washington marched his army through Philadel- 
phia, on his way to this place, that ' ' the music was playing 
and the flags flying." Undoubtedly these flags had been 
made after the pattern set forth in the resolve of Congress 
of seven weeks before, there having been ample time for the 
making of the flags after the approved pattern, and the first 
thought would have been to furnish them, as speedily as 
possible, to the main army under Washington, as it marched 
southward to meet the invading foe. 

To my mind, it is indisputable, that across yonder to the 
eastward, beyond the quiet flowing waters of the Christiana, 
within sight of the spot upon which I stand, there was borne 
aloft by the American column, under the brave Maxwell, 
the flag of the thirteen United States with its thirteen stars 
and thirteen stripes and that there for the first time it 
appeared in the smoke and blood of battle. To commemorate 
that fact we unveil here to-day this imposing and befitting 
monument which you see before me. 



OF THE COOCH'S BRIDGE MEMORIAL. 33 

We that are here in the golden sunshine of this 
September afternoon, are enjoying the blessed heritage 
vouchsafed to us by the valor and heroism of the Revolu- 
tionary patriots. Scenes like this should serve as an inspir- 
ation, and we should learn new lessons of patriotism from 
the sacrifice and devotion of our sires. If from the associa- 
tions of to-day there shall be born within us, a resolve that 
shall lead us to more exalted ideals, and to a better citizen- 
ship, then the blood that was shed in this place one hundred 
and twenty-four years ago, will not have been shed in vain 
for, unitedly, as loyal Delawareans, we will carry forward, in 
these opening days of the twentieth century, the glorious 
banner of freedom; serene, content, triumphant, in the hope 
that government of the people, by the people and for the 
people shall not perish from the earth." 



34 PROCEEDINGS A T THE UNVEILING 

Chief Justic I^ore: "The next number on the program 
is the unveiling of the Monument. It will be unveiled by 
Masters Howard DeHaven Ross, Jr. , the seventh descendant 
from a Revolutionary soldier, and by Francis Allyn Cooch, 
Jr., also the seventh descendant from a Revolutionary 
soldier, so that you see we have the Revolutionary soldier in 
the seventh degree. Will the band gather, and when it is 
unveiled favor us with one of their delightful selections. 
Now our little soldiers will unveil the Monument." 



UNVEII.ING OF THK MONUMENT 
BY 

Masters Howard DeHaven Ross, Jr., 

AND 

Francis Ai,i,yn Cooch, Jr. 



'Two babies' hands unveiled the stone, 
Where first unfurled in battle shone. 

Our flag of thirteen bars. 

Our flag of thirteen stars. 
At Cooch' s Bridge in Delaware, 
And lo! defeated there; 
For on that warm September Third, 
In Seventeen Seventy-Seven was heard. 

No word of cheer for the thirteen bars: 

No word of cheer for the thirteen stars, 
Defeat, defeat, defeat alone, 

Was alhour dear flag knew; 
When first unfurled in battle shone. 

Its red and white and blue. 



OF THE COOCH'S BRIDGE MEMORIAL. 35 

Two babies of our glorious land, 
Two "little soldiers," heart and hand. 

To live for freedom's cause, 

In peace as well as wars; 
In life's broad battle field, 
To right alone to yield. 
'Twas fit that baby hands should raise, 
The veil which hid the stone, whose praise 

Tells where our flag in infancy, 

First floated to the breezes free; 
Aspire, wee ones, to noble deeds, 

And keep your wee hearts true; 
In future action, future needs, 

Our country looks to you. ' ' 

— Miss M. Winchester Adams, Newark, N. J. 

[The young patriots, both lineal descendants of sturdy 
old colonists, tugged resolutely at the stout cords leading 
from the speakers' stand to the veiled monument, and as 
the covering was removed gradually, exposing the granite 
memorial to the full view for the first time, a cheer broke 
from the throng and the band struck up "Star Spangled 
Banner." A moment later, a handsome wreath of roses 
and cosmos, decorated with blue and gold ribbon, presented 
by the Daughters of the Revolution, was capped on the 
monument by Master Megear of Smyrna, and another out- 
burst of applause went up.] 



Chief Justice I^ore: "The next number on the pro- 
gram is a solo by Miss Kmma I/Ore, 'The Star Spangled 
Banner,' accompanied by First Regiment Band." 



36 PROCEEDINGS AT THE UNVEILING 

Chief Justice I^ore: "The next number on the program 
is the presentation of the Monument to the State of Dela- 
ware by the Hon. J. Wilkins Cooch." 



PRESENTATION OF THE MONUMENT. 



"Mr. Chairman, I^adibis and Ge;nti,e;mb;n: A year 
ago you visited this spot and selected a site to mark the 
place where our flag was first unfurled in battle. To-day 
we welcome you again and present to you the result of our 
work which has been done under the auspices, and through 
the liberality of our Patriotic Societies and Citizens. 

We are proud of the history of our little State ; proud of 
the part our brave ancestors took in the struggle for liberty ; 
proud of the fact that she was the first to adopt the Consti- 
tution; and proud of the fact that on her soil, this flag of the 
thirteen struggling colonies with its thirteen stars and thirteen 
stripes, was first raised as the emblem of liberty. Our fore- 
fathers "builded better than they knew" and although they 
seemed endowed with a wisdom and a grasp of the capabil- 
ities of their infant country that is hard for us to understand, 
I do not think that in their wildest enthusiasm they ever 
imagined what a giant in growth and power their child 
would become in a century and a quarter, nor the respect 
and veneration their flag would inspire whenever and 
wherever its beautiful colors were thrown to the breeze; or 
how the down trodden of all nations would look to it as the 
children of Israel looked to the brazen serpent that through 
its healing powers they might have life and peace. 



OF THE COOCH'S BRIDGE MEMORIAL. j/ 

Our historian, Mr. Conrad has given you the reasons 
for the " faith that is in us" and to me has been assigned 
the pleasant dut}^ of presenting this memorial to you through 
his Excellency the Governor, and to assure you that it is 
yours, and that you will be welcome to visit it at any and at 
all times. 

This solid stone of our own Brandywine granite repre- 
sents the State of Delaware; these cannon protecting each 
corner, the war power of the Government; and the strong 
cable chain with which it is enclosed, the Naval power. The 
whole presenting a monument so enduring that your children 
and children's children may gather around it to renew their 
devotion to the stars and stripes, and to give thanks unto 
God for the wisdom and courage of our ancestors in founding 
such a government, and for providing it with so beautiful 
a flag." 



38 PROCEEDINGS AT THE UNVEILING 

Chief Justice lyore: "Now we will have the acceptance 
of the Monument by his Excellency John Hunn, Governor 
of Delaware." 



ACCEPTANCE OF THE MONUMENT. 



' ' In the first place I wish to thank you for standing 
here in the rain. Notwithstanding the fact that I am a 
Quaker, I am more than half soldier myself. 

On behalf of the State of Delaware, and of the whole 
people, I accept this noble monument erected upon the his- 
toric spot where the Stars and Stripes, the beautiful banner 
of our great republic, were first unfurled in battle by soldiers 
of the war for American Independence. And on behalf of 
all the patriotic citizens of Delaware, I express their high 
appreciation of the zeal and lofty civic spirit which has 
inspired and animated those who have united to accomplish 
and perfect this most commendable and patriotic under- 
taking. 

The preservation of the memory of heroic and notable 
events in our history is a sure harbinger to the State of 
great events to come. Nothing so well determines and keeps 
alive the spirit of liberty among a liberty-loving people as 
the fostering of a universal pride in their past great achieve- 
ments. No one can deny to the people of Delaware the 
clear right to a proud remembrance in the past history of 
their commonwealth. In those early days of the republic, 
at its very dawn as it were, when the framers and builders 
of the present great structure of American nationality were 
laboring to establish it upon firm and imperishable founda- 




7 T^-^^^i^ 




EX-SECRETARY OF STATE, 

EX-AMBASSADOR TO THE COURT OF ST. JAMES AND 

FIRST PRESIDENT DELAWARE SOCIETY, S. A. R. 



OF THE COOCH'S BRIDGE MEMORIAL. sg 

tions, the people of Delaware bore their full share of the 
burden through many an illustrious representative. They 
were conspicuously represented in the Continental Congress 
where the great principles of American government were 
formulated and established, and under whose benign influ- 
ence we, as a nation, have risen to such commanding 
strength and acknowledged position among the nations of 
the world. 

From the men who represented us in Continental Con- 
gress we turn to our soldiers — the Blue Hen's Chickens — 
they were always at the front. On the battlefield at Brandy- 
wine, at Camden, The Cowpens, on Long Island, at Mon- 
mouth and finally at Yorktown, where the sun of British 
dominance went to its last setting on this continent. On the 
ocean and our inland waters, in many hard- fought battles 
against the hitherto undisputed mistress of the sea — in fact, 
in every stage of our National development, in every crisis 
of our National history, the people of this State have fur- 
nished men wise, eloquent and sagacious in council, brave 
and heroic in war. It is therefore right and seemly that we 
look back upon the past with a justifiable pride of those 
great National achievements in which our ancestors bore so 
distinguished a part. Notwithstanding these things, but 
rather because of them, there is a deep and significant lesson 
to us as citizens of this State, both in the occasion and the 
place on which we stand. It is hallowed ground. 

Cast back your minds for a moment to that day and 
hour when j'on banner then unknown, now the emblem of 
overwhelming strength and our world-wide recognition, 
when those stripes with only 13 stars, first felt the stirring 
breeze of the Delaware air as the flag was unfurled 
in the hands of the revolutionary soldier marching over 



4.0 PROCEEDINGS AT THE UNVEILING 

these very fields that lie about us. What think you was 
his hope and expectation ? What inspiration had he ? 
What think you animated and encouraged him through all 
the gloom and privation of his long and arduous struggle ? 
Was it not an unconquerable, irrepressible desire for liberty, 
freedom, happiness, for a government of his own, of the 
very people, of all the people, for release from the hardships 
and exactions of kings and tyrants, self-constituted rulers 
and governors; for the right to form and fashion with his 
neighbor the rules, regulations and laws that should govern 
his political, social and religious life ? This was undoubt- 
edly his great desire, and so well did he accomplish it that 
he has given the beneficent result of his labor to all who 
have come after him as a priceless heritage — one that 
demands the instant and ever constant watchfulness and 
loyal fidelity of every good citizen of this State, in fact of all 
the States, to see that it is preserved, not only for ourselves, 
but for those who may come after us. This can only be done 
by honest, loyal and high endeavor to maintain to the best 
of our ability the principles of good government through the 
agencies of honorable and capable representatives, and b}^ 
studious emulation of those high examples furnished us so 
abundantly by the notable characters in the past history of 
our State. Now, just for a moment to speak again of the 
Delaware soldier — he has never faltered where duty called 
and honor led. It is a fact not generally known that there 
is no instance on record where Delaware troops broke their 
line on the field of battle or lost a flag to the enemy. There 
is at present no other State in the Union (admitted before 
1861) with this record. We are proud of it — of our State 
and our people, and especially proud of those who made this 
occasion possible, and who by their work and manifest zeal 
are entitled to the credit. ' ' 




MRS. ELIZABETH CLARKE CHURCHMAN, 
SECRETARY JOINT COMMITTEE. 



OF THE COOCH'S BRIDGE MEMORIAL. 41 

Chief Justice Lore: "The next number on the program 
is an address by the Hon. Walter S. Logan, of New York, 
who is the President- General of the National Society, Sons 
of the American Revolution. " 



ADDRESS. 



"My mother taught me to go in when it rained. You 
said at the commencement to make our speeches short. You 
need not have told me that. For I am a husband, and my 
speeches have been short ever since I have been married. 
The majority of this Committee are ladies, that accounts for 
such success. The few gentlemen account for the misfor- 
tune of the rain. 

The affair at Cooch's Bridge was a skirmish which 
preceded the Battle of Brandywine. Both the skirmish and 
the battles were defeats for the American troops. The first 
time that the Stars and Stripes floated o'er a battlefield, it 
was a field of disaster. 

It has been well said that Washington won the Inde- 
pendence of his country by a series of masterly defeats. 
That is a characteristic of our race. We have won on the 
fields of peace and of war alike, not by a series of successful 
manoeuvres or brilliant exploits, but by grim determination 
and sticking to it. 

Nineteen hundred years ago, Herman, the great Saxon, 
the first recorded military leader of our race, in the defiles 
of the German forest, won the battle which destroyed the 
entire Roman army under Varus, secured the perpetuation 
of our people and made England and America possible, at 



4.2 PROCEEDINGS A T THE UNVEILING 

the end of a war in which the only victory was won in the 
last — the final and decisive — battle. Like Washington, he 
went down to defeat a hundred times in order to win one 
time, but that one time was decisive. 

Philip II, who contests the honor with John of England 
of being the worst king that ever ruled, saw his Armada go 
to the bottom of the sea and all hope of enslaving our race 
disappear after a life time of successful warfare against 
peoples of our blood. Blenheim, where the charge of Marl- 
borough's cavalry changed in five minutes the domination 
of the earth from the Latin to the Saxon race, occurred after 
a warfare of a quarter of a century between Louis the XIV 
and England's great William of Orange, in which almost 
every preceding battle had been a victory for the Latin. 
The victories of Marston Moore and Naseby were culmina- 
tions of a series of defeats. The battle on the plains of 
Abraham in 1759, where one Summer morning, almost before 
the sun had risen, a continent was won for our blood, our 
institutions and our language, was a decisive victory which 
succeeded a long series of indecisive defeats. And so it was 
in our Revolution. Our triumph was won quite as much at 
Lexington and Bunker Hill, at Cooch's Bridge and Brandy- 
wine, at Long Island and Fort Washington, indisputable 
defeats, as at Saratoga and Yorktown, brilliant victories. 
The bath of blood which our flag received in defeat on this 
spot helped to carry it to a glorious triumph upon the fields 
of old Virgina, five years later. 

It has been the English speaking race all over the world 
that has won in peace far more than in war, but in peace as 
in war, its success has been due, not to bombast or to boom, 
but to the habit we have of hanging on. The world is 



OF THE COOCH'S BRIDGE MEMORIAL. 43 

coming to be ours simply because we have the best staying 
qualities of all the races. 

The great Washington was not at his greatest in the 
hour of victory. It was in the hour of dire defeat, when 
hearts were broken and other men's courage gave way, that 
his great soul was stirred to its depths and his masterful 
leadership showed at its best. 

To m}^ mind, Washington appears at his greatest on 
that dark and direful night when he silently and stealthily 
took his defeated and demoralized army across the East 
River from Brooklyn to New York and saved the American 
cause. A Gates could win at Saratoga, for he had 13,000 
men against 7,000; an Anthony Wayne could take Stony 
Point; a Harry Lee could swoop down in success at Corlear's 
Hook ; another commander might perhaps have won at 
Trenton and at Princeton, and Washington shares the honors 
of Yorktown with Rochambeau and De Grasse, but on that 
night at Fulton Ferry he stood alone and all the hope that 
was left for the American cause was based on the uncon- 
querable spirit of the man who suffered more defeats perhaps 
than any other commander in history, but never gave up. 

We do well to honor, then, the men who fought at 
Cooch's Bridge and Brandy wine, as well as the men who 
fought at Saratoga and Yorktown, the men who bathed the 
flag in their life's blood here in defeat, as well as the men 
who carried it in other places to a glorious victory. 

In Prospect Park in the borough of Brookl^m — the most 
beautiful of all beautiful parks of our great city of New 
York — there stands a shaft reared by the Maryland Society 
of the Sons of the American Revolution in memor}^ of that 
Maryland regiment who threw themselves in the face of the 



44 PROCEEDINGS AT THE UNVEILING 

victorious British army and lost 256 of their 400 men, but 
gained an hour for the American cause and saved the Amer- 
ican army. Somebody has described the hour they gained 
as the most important hour in history. I would add that 
the men who gained it are the noblest 400 that the world 
ever produced. 

Another 400 Ward McAllister has made somewhat 
famous. They play polo by Summer day at Newport and 
trip the fantastic toe by Winter night in New York, but how 
does their life of utter vanity and nothingness compare with 
the importance of the achievement and the heroism of the 
conduct of our 400 who went down to certain death that the 
seeds of a great and free nation might be fertilized with their 
blood. Ours is the real and true 400, worthy of all the 
honor that a grateful and patriotic people can do them. New 
York is prouder of nothing that it has than of the monument 
that the Maryland Sons have erected in Prospect Park. The 
noble State of Delaware has nothing of* which it may be 
more proud than the monument which is to-day unveiled 
here at Cooch's Bridge. 

But we have been speaking of the issue that is past. I 
linger on the subject because I am proud of my race when I 
think of the heroism and the patriotism of the men who 
bathed that flag in their life's blood while yet the thread 
that sewed it together was fresh from Betsy Ross' spinning 
wheel. 

I am not content, however, to rest upon the achieve- 
ments of the past. I am not content to rap at the door of 
heaven with only the record of my ancestors to let me in. 
I am proud to be a son of the American Revolution, but I am 
not content to be only that. I am more proud in the hope 




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Ct rea^ati cmc5ear to t^£- 

^^earl^ of-l^e (fe)oktif lolic 







lOJlMt. 



A RESOLUTION OF THANKS. 



OF THE COOCH'S BRIDGE MEMORIAL. 45 

and expectation of being the father of patriots than I am in 
the knowledge that I am a son of patriots. I would rather 
my son be greater than I. Your Howard DeHaven Ross is 
just as good as his ancestors, and his son, Howard DeHaven 
Ross, Jr. , will be even better than his father, because, — he 
has some of his mother's blood in him. I would rather that 
my descendants would boast of what I have done for my 
country than to boast myself of what my great grandfather 
did. The raison d'etre of our Society of the Sons of the 
American Revolution is not to honor the fathers so much as 
to inspire the sons; not to celebrate the deeds of olden times 
so much as to incite to deeds to-day. 

I am not one of those who believe that the need of 
patriotism and patriotic action and endeavor has passed. I 
believe we have greater problems confronting the men and 
the women of this generation than our ancestors had con- 
fronting them. I believe we have more need of patriots 
to-day than we have had at any time since the Stars and 
Stripes were first unfurled here at Cooch's Bridge. Our 
fathers fought political warfare for political liberty. They 
fought for the right to govern themselves and to work out 
their own destiny. We, the sons, to-day are engaged in a 
warfare for industrial liberty. We are fighting for the right 
of each man to earn his daily bread and to carry home every 
night the earnings of his day's labor. They fought with 
gun and sword; we are — when we are wise — fighting with 
other weapons, with speech and argument, with pen and 
tongue, but we are fighting just the same. Sometimes we 
foolishly throw aside the softer but more effective weapons, 
and then mob law rules. To-day two hundred thousand 
steel workers are arrayed against the United States Steel 



46 PROCEEDINGS A T THE UNVEILING 

Corporation. This is but one of the multitude of strikes 
that are on all over the land, as a part of the contest of labor 
against capital, of men against money, the contest for the 
control of the industries of the land and the right to partici- 
pate in the blessings of modern civilization. 

The questions that we have to settle now are industrial 
and social questions, but they are far from being less import- 
ant than the political questions that troubled our ancestors, 
and the warfare that is now going on, though waged with dif- 
ferent weapons, is no less important to the welfare of the race 
and the happiness of the people of our land, than was the 
contest that was being waged then. 

On whom should the nation rely to settle these great 
questions that now confront it ; on whom should the nation 
rely to see that justice is done between employer and em- 
ployed, between the few with abundance and the many with 
little, between the few favored of fortune and the many 
struggling by the way; to whom should the nation look now 
more than to the sons of those on whom she depended a 
hundred and twenty-five years ago? Sons of the American 
Revolution, the opportunity is yours, will j^ou grasp it? I 
ask the question without doubt as to the answer, for patriot- 
ism is not dead in the land. I believe we have patriots to- 
day as earnest and devoted as those who gave up their lives 
at Cooch's Bridge and Brandy wine. I believe we have 
leaders to-day as great as Washington, and followers as brave 
and devoted as those who under Washington won the inde- 
pendence of a nation. I believe we shall settle the questions 
that are before us as wisely and decidedly as our fathers 
settled the questions that were before them, and that the 
sons of the fathers will take their place in history side by 
side with the fathers themselves. 



OF THE COOCH'S BRIDGE 3IEM0RIAL. 4J 

But we have before us now, as they had before them 
then, an ever-Hving issue. Back of the clang upon the 
battlefield and the discussions upon the platform, in the 
prints and in the legislative halls, the philosophic eye can see 
that the real questions then and the real questions now are 
the same. How shall we make this world a better world to 
live in and this life a happier life to live ? A great step 
forward was taken for our country when it won its independ- 
ence of Great Britain, but greater steps have been taken 
since and are being taken now. The world is growing better 
every day and the men and women in it are becoming better 
men and women and life is becoming better worth living. 
L,et us do our part, so that when the historian shall collate 
the causes which led to the better times that are coming, not 
the least among these causes shall be named the patriotic 
action and effort of the Sons and Daughters of the American 
Revolution. 

I was traveling one time in a Concord coach over the 
crests of the Rocky Mountains. It was a long journej^ We 
pursued it by night and by day, but it was a jolly party of us 
and the time passed rapidly and pleasantly. The first night 
we whiled away the time with song and jest and story, until 
as we were pursuing our way in the darkness, one of the 
passengers pointed to a light in the distance. "What is it?" 
Someone answered "It is a forest on fire." Another said 
"Some setler's cabin is in flames," and still another that it 
that it was the Aurora Borealis. And while we were sitting 
and watching and discussing, some contending that it was 
one thing and some another, the question settled itself. The 
orb of day arose over the horizon. It was the first rays of 
the sun that we had seen. 



48 PROCEEDINGS A T THE UNVEILING 

'Mid the dim light which always surrounds the present, 
in the darkness through which we are ever traveling on life's 
journey, we can all of us see to-day a rift in the clouds, a 
light on the horizon, a glimpse into the future. Some men 
think that the future that they see is one thing, and some 
another. Some think they can define the outlines of the 
man on horseback, a stronger government, that shall put 
down by sheer force the turbulence of the hour. Some 
think that they can see anarchy, the absence of all govern- 
ment, a life with no restraint. Some think they can see 
socialism, a condition in which life is all government, and 
there is no chance for individual activity. The pessimist 
sees nothing but a darker cloud behind and more troubulous 
times to come. The optimist sees nothing but what is sweet 
and lovely and pleasant in the world that is to be; but we, 
sons of stern but liberty-loving fathers, are practical men. 
We are not disturbed by the wails of the pessimist or the 
dreams of the optimist. We are not led away hy the wild 
vagaries of the anarchist or the socialist. We spurn as our 
fathers spurned, the very suggestion of despotism; we have 
no use for the man on horseback. What we see through 
the rift in the clouds is a life not essentially different from 
the life we are living now, only modern invention and im- 
proved processes of production, the wisdom and experience 
gained through the ages, will make it a life with less hard- 
ship and more happiness. What we see is neither despotism 
nor anarchy, neither iron rule nor lawlessness, neither force 
nor license, but a government, continuing as it begun, with 
its sharp edges rounded off by the attrition of experience, 
and taking more and more advantage of the teachings of the 
ages; a government not of the few for the benefit of the few. 



OF THE COOCH'S BRIDGE MEMORIAL. 49 

nor of the manj^ to the exclusion of the few, but of all the 
people for all the people. We see through our rift in the 
clouds the old flag that floated at Cooch's Bridge, with star 
upon star added as the years go by from all parts of the 
American Continent and from the Occident and the Orient 
it may be, but every star representing a sovereign State in 
which life shall be inviolate, property shall be safe and 
the people happy. We see also the people of all the earth 
gazing with upturned faces and longing eyes upon that flag 
which represents freedom, happiness and prosperity. We 
see a better as well as a greater United States, a nobler as 
well as a happier people. 

May God grant that what we see to-day in the dim light 
that comes over the horizon of the future, may be seen in 
living and bright reality as that future becomes the present. 

Foremost among those who will scale that opening rift 
and call men onward to the better future that is to come, 
will, I hope, be the Sons and Daughters of the American 
Revolution." 



so PROCEEDINGS AT THE UNVEILING 

Chief Justice Lore: "The next number on the program 
is an address by the distinguished soldier of Delaware, 
whose name is a household word on all continents, General 
James H. Wilson, U. S. A." 

ADDRESS. 



"Mr. Prssidknt, Ladies and Gentlemen: The 
history of the occasion which brings us together today upon 
this consecrated spot has been sufficiently explained by the 
eloquent speakers who have preceded me. As one who has 
followed the Flag both at home and abroad for over a third 
of a century, the more pleasing task has been assigned to 
me, of making a brief address, in which I shall endeavor 
to tell you what that flag stands for, what it has stood for, 
and what in God's Providence it shall stand for throughout 
all time. 

Kvery school boy knows that it was adopted by the 
Congress on the 14th day of June, 1777, in the second year 
of that revolution by which the United States secured their 
independence, and took their place among the free and 
sovereign nations of the world. Every school boy knows 
that its thirteen stars on a blue field, and its thirteen stripes 
of alternate red and white, as at first adopted, stood for the 
thirteen original colonies which banded themselves together 
to resist the tyranny of the mother country. Every school 
boy knows that the heraldic arrangement was suggested by 
the coat armor of the immortal Washington, whose English 
forbears had worthily worn it from time immemorial. From 
this day forth all patriotic Americans will know that it 
received its baptism of blood on land at the battle of Cooch's 



OF THE COOCH'S BRIDGE MEMORIAL. 51 

Bridge. But it is only recently that it has come to be 
generally known that it was first borne in battle at sea by 
the invincible commodore John Paul Jones, in the splendid 
victory of the Bon Homme Richard over the forty- four gun 
frigate Serapis off Flamborough Head on the 23rd day of 
September, 1779. You will remember that it was in the 
height of that desperate battle, the most desperate perhaps 
ever fought between civilized combatants at sea, that the 
gallant British commander asked the American commodore 
through the wreck and smoke of battle if he had struck his 
colors, and received for answer the immortal words, "No. 
I have not begun fighting yet. " It is with supreme satis- 
faction that I call attention to the fact that the Richard, 
battered and riddled as she was, never lowered her colors, 
but carried them waving from her masthead, "defiant, 
unconquered and unstricken," to the bottom of the sea, 
there to float in triumph so long as their threads might hold 
together. This flag, made by the young ladies of Ports- 
mouth, New Hampshire from their silken dresses, it has 
been finely said by Jones himself, ' 'was the first edition of 
the stars and stripes that Europe ever saw; the first to be 
saluted by the guns of a European naval power, but far 
beyond that, and beyond anything (known in history) it 
was the first and the last flag that ever went down or ever 
will go down flying on the ship which conquered and 
captured the ship that sunk her." It is with supreme 
satisfaction that I again call your attention to the lofty 
words of Commodore Jones in the crisis of that great action, 
and bid you remember always that the unconquerable spirit 
which inspired them, has ever since that glorious day 
inspired the officers and men of the American Navy. It 



52 PROCEEDINGS A T THE UNVEILING 

wa^ that spirit which gave victory to Hull with the 
Constitution; and to Bainbridge with the Constitution, 
Essex and Hornet; and to Porter with the Essex; and to 
MacDonough with his fleet on lyake Champlain; and to 
Perry with his on L^ake Erie; and to Worden with the 
Monitor; and to Winslow with the Kearsarge; and to Dewey 
at Manila Bay; and to Sampson off Santiago. It is that 
spirit which has ever kept the American flag free from dis- 
grace and defeat on the high seas, and made it honored and 
respected wherever our national interests have required its 
presence. It is that spirit which has always maintained the 
morale, the discipline and the aggressive temper of the 
Navy, and which more than once has enabled it by a single 
action to change naval architecture and send a cold chill 
down the back of every maritime power in the world. I am 
sure you will pardon me if I call your attention also to the 
fact that throughout our history it has always been the 
Regular Navy, with a permanent corps of well instructed, 
well paid and well governed officers and men, drawn from 
the body of the people, and free from the vices of a 
temporary service. We have never had a volunteer naval 
force which took part, or could take part in great naval 
operations, and hence that service has always been remark- 
ably free from fatal blunders and costly mistakes. From the 
very nature of the naval service this must always be the 
case, and this is a fortunate circumstance for the honor of 
the Country and the Glory of the Flag. 

But let us now consider briefly what the flag stands for 
on land as well as on the sea, what it was to our forefathers, 
what it is to us, and what it is to the world at large. 

When it was adopted by the Continental Congress, a 



OF THE COOCH'S BRIDGE MEMORIAL. 53 

Congress be it known, for the entire North American Conti- 
nent, there was no such thing as a free and sovereign 
repubhcan government in the world. The thirteen English 
colonies in America had declared themselves to be free and 
independent states, and aided by France and its king, were 
fighting to make good that declaration, but the result was 
still in doubt, still trembling in the balance. It was a 
struggle against arbitrary government, against taxation 
without representation, against the hereditary exercise and 
transmission of official power. It was a struggle for the 
right of self government, or as the immortal I^incoln phrased 
it nearly a hundred years later, for the establishment of a 
"government of the people, for the people, by the people," 
which "should not perish from the earth," and when the 
victory was won it was won potentially for all mankind as 
well as for us Americans. Thenceforth the people were 
sovereign everywhere, and every king in the world held his 
crown subject to the will and at the pleasure of his people. 
From that time civil government began to improve in every 
country under the sun. Though the improvement was but 
slow at first, in many cases almost imperceptible, the move- 
ment had begun, and nothing on earth could defeat or turn 
it from its purpose. And so the flag which stood at first for 
unity, for liberty and for independence among our venerated 
forefathers, now stands for progress, for civil and religious 
freedom, for the dearest hopes and aspirations of every state 
and all mankind. It stood then and it stands now for equal 
rights and for honest and impartial government, for the 
freeman with his unpurchased ballot in his hand ! It knows 
no party or faction within the wide limits of the Republic. 
It knows no race or color in citizenship. It knows no North, 



54 PROCEEDINGS AT THE UNVEILING 

no South, no East, no West. Thank God it is at last the 
flag of all sections and all classes on land and sea, and 
floats in unapproachable majesty over all the states and 
territories alike. 

Above all it stands for the might and majesty of the 
Great Republic, and for the continental policy, the Monroe 
Doctrine, which it has been well said ' 'is the public law of 
the Western Hemisphere. ' ' As the last resort it stands for 
justice between citizen and citizen, between the states and 
territories, and between the government at large and its 
dependencies of every name and nature, and wherever found. 

And whether the flag follows the Constitution or the 
Constitution follows the flag, as has been so much discussed 
of late, one thing at least is certain, it is the Aegis and 
palladium of all who owe allegiance to it, or claim its pro- 
tection wherever they may be. Whether at home among 
the sovereign states, or abroad in the islands and depen- 
dencies beyond the seas, it is the blessed emblem and should 
always be the emblem and guaranty of equal civil rights and 
equal trade privileges, because these are essential to an 
improving citizenship and an increasing prosperity, without 
which there can be neither an advancing civilization nor a 
reassuring belief in the essential unity and brotherhood of 
man. These are not mere abstractions. They are the 
fundamental and eternal principles of American government, 
the very essence and life blood of American liberty and 
American progress. And we need have no fear that they 
will ever lose their force among the people, or that the people 
will allow their chosen servants to depart far from them in 
the management of their permanent and paramount 
interests. You may rely upon it so much is safe. But the 



OF THE COOCH'S BRIDGE MEMORIAL. 55 

warning that "Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty," is 
older than either the flag or the Constitution. It conies to 
us hallowed by the sacrifices and sufferings of those who 
fought on this historic field, and it enjoins us ever to see to 
it that the liberties they have achieved and transmitted to 
us, shall suffer no diminution either at our own hands or at 
the hands of the public servant or of the public enemy. 
The monument we dedicate here today derives its chief value 
because it is a token and a pledge that the principles for 
which our fathers laid down their lives are as dear to us as 
they were to them, that the spirit of libert}^ and justice, and 
of eternal right, is the spirit which still inspires our public 
acts. It is that spirit dwelling deep in our hearts which will 
keep us always worthy of our great inheritance, our free 
institutions, our incomparable Constitution of government, 
and above all our radiant flag, the "Star Spangled Banner," 
which prefigures and stands for the manifold and priceless 
blessings we enjoy, and if we are true to ourselves, shall 
enjoy forever. Flag of my Country I salute thee! Thou 
art indeed the — 

"Flag of the free hearts' home and hope 

By angel hands to valor given. 
Thy stars have lit the welkin dome. 

And all thy hues were born in Heaven. 
Forever float that standard sheet, 

Where breathes the foe but falls before us ? 
With Freedom's soil beneath our feet, 

And freedom's banner streaming o'er us." 



56 PROCEEDINGS A T THE UNVEILING 

Chief Justice I/ore: "The next number on the program 
is an address by that distinguished representative of old 
Sussex, Robert G. Houston, Esq." 

ADDRESS. 



"Mr. Chairman, lyADiKS and G:eNTi.B;MSN : When 
our honored Chief Justice extended me an invitation to take 
part in these unveiling ceremonies I felt in duty bound, as a 
member of the Delaware bar to hearken to the call of our 
respected leader; but when I was confronted by a program 
and the list of talented gentlemen who were to precede me 
with addresses on this occasion, I felt at loss how to address 
you. 

I knew that my learned friend from the City of Wil- 
mington, whose exhaustive researches and learned addresses 
upon historical matters relating to this State should have 
ere this crowned him State Historian, would exhaust that 
phase of the subject. I was satisfied that the honorable 
gentleman, who is proud to claim as his own these historical 
acres would acquaint us with all the local lore. I knew our 
eminent friend from the Empire State, whose reputation had 
preceded him, would come fully prepared to maintain that 
reputation. I knew that anything left unsaid would receive 
full disposition at the hands of my friend, General Wilson, 
who combines the prowess of sword, pen and tongue, and 
our governor, who has dared to break the silence which has 
heretofore surrounded our gubernatorial chair. 

It was a consolation to know that my time was limited 
to ten minutes. But as I have listened to the eloquent words 



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OF THE COOCH'S BRIDGE MEMORIAL. 57 

that have fallen from the lips of those gentlemen, I have 
been led in inevitable retrospection to a consideration of the 
men of the times contemporary with the event we this day 
celebrate. 

This monument we to-day unveil commemorates the 
flag, but the flag itself is an everlasting and indestructible 
monument to the men who made its creation and commemo- 
ration possible. 

It seems to me that the men of those days were cast 
in a sterner mould. No such galaxy of names appear upon 
the pages of the history of any other country. Their acts 
and deeds should inspire us to deeds of noble patriotism. 
The names of Rodney, McLane and Read should arouse the 
spark of patriotism in every Delaware heart. It was their 
noble devotion to duty, and their courage in the hour of our 
country's call which gave this State the place of honor in 
the thirteen States and gave us the first star in the constella- 
tion — the first star ascendant in the field of blue — the first 
symbol of purity in a page of truth. 

Have we kept it pure ? Do we emulate their virtues ? 
Do we approach the duties of citizenship with the same 
unselfish devotion to our country's good? Do we honor the 
flag, whose first unfurling we to-day commemorate, as we 
should? 

When we consider the horde of petty politicians who 
have gained power and use it for their own selfish purpose 
and aggrandizement; when we consider the boss who con- 
trols the great city of the Empire State for selfish political 
purposes; when we consider that our sister city — the City of 
Brotherly I^ove — is in the hands of an organized machine 
which thrives upon dishonor; when we remember that our 



S8 PROCEEDINGS A T THE UNVEILING 

own State, is in danger of being upheld as an example of 
how low in the depths of political degradation a State may 
fall from its high estate; when we learn that the good citi- 
zens of your city and county think it necessary to organize 
themselves into a committee of reform to assist the Attorney 
General in investigating the affairs of your county govern- 
ment — when I think of these things I think it is time for us 
to take a lesson from these unveiling ceremonies, and drink 
deep from the Pierian springs from which our forefathers 
drew their inspiration. As we leave this historic spot with 
hearts softened by the ceremonies of this day let us remem- 
ber that this is our own dear native State. I^et us cherish 
her traditions. May the voice of her sons be ever raised in 
the defence of her liberties. May the flag whose first 
unfurling in the battle for freedom, we to-day commemorate, 
be never furled in the battle for political truth and purity." 



OF THE COOCH'S BRIDGE MEMORIAL. 59 

Chief Justice lyore: "The next number on the program 
is a poem from the poet of Kent. I know you will be 
delighted. William Townsend Smithers, Esq. ' ' 

POEM. 

"Among the monuments that grace 
Thy realm, and mark som.e storied place, 

Make room, oh Liberty! 
For one plain stone, to tell the world 
Where first in battle was unfurled 

The banner of the free. 

That flag beneath whose graceful folds 
Each man a crown and scepter holds — 

Each, king of this proud land; 
But 'neath its white and crimson bars, 
Its azure field of glittering stars. 

Is felt no tyrant's hand. 

They little knew, our honored sires, 
That kindled freedom's altar fires. 

This flag came at God's call; 
Nor dreamed they of a day to be 
When it should float on land and sea. 

High-throned over all. 

Come back, dear flag, with added stars, 
Come, torn with storjns of other wars, 

Here was thy course begun; 
High waving here 'mid loudest cheers, 
And looking out across the years. 

Review thy victories won. 



6o PROCEEDINGS A T THE UNVEILING 

Come, spirits of heroic dead, 

Who 'neath this banner fought and bled, 

That this soil might be free; 
Inspire us as we gather round 
The stone set in this holy ground — 

A shrine of liberty. 

God of our fathers, now let fall 
Thy benediction over all 

This land of ours, so fair; 
Be with us while we dedicate 
This sacred tablet to our State — 

Beloved Delaware." 



OF THE COOCH'S BRIDGE MEMORIAL. 6i 

Chief Justice lyore: "Although there is not much time 
surely we must not slight our Maryland friend, Hon. Edwin 
Warfield, President of the Maryland Society, Sons of the 
American Revolution, a man of imposing appearance, and 
great power. ' ' 

ADDRESS. 



"Mr. Chairman, I^adieis and Gi;nti,emkn: I must 
confess that I am completely overwhelmed by thus being 
called upon, without notice, for a speech. I came here to 
listen, not to talk. I have an idea, however, that a distin- 
guished gentleman present, the Honorable President of the 
National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, 
put your Chairman up to calling upon me without notice, 
as he is fond of practical jokes, and knew that he would 
thus embarrass me very greatly. 

I assure you that I am very glad to be here, and have 
enjoyed every moment of my time. It has been a pleasure 
for me to look into the faces of the good patriotic men of 
Delaware and to have this opportunity of seeing so many of 
her graceful and accomplished daughters. lyike my friend, 
Mr. lyOgan, I have always taken a deep interest in the fair 
sex, and embrace every occasion I have to say that I owe all 
that I have achieved in life to one of the fair daughters of 
Maryland, my better half. 

It is too late for me to attempt to speak to you of the 
beauty of Maryland's women or of the deeds of her sons. 
Maryland will ever stand shoulder to shoulder with Dela- 
ware in upholding the Stars and Stripes. 

I have some Delaware blood in my veins and am proud 
of it. One of my ancestors. Col. Nicholas Ridgely, was a 
guardian of your great Rodney. He lived in your State in 



62 PROCEEDINGS AT THE UNVEILING 

the early days and helped to shape her course as a colony. 
So you see I have a personal interest in you all. 

Your Governor has spoken of the bravery of Delaware's 
soldiers and the fact that they had always upheld the repu- 
tation of the sons of Delaware for fidelity and courage. He 
recently reviewed the Fifth Maryland Regiment of Baltimore, 
and I am sure that he brought away with him impressions 
that Maryland also has good soldiers. The Maryland men 
of the old continental line never faltered. I^ed by the gallant 
Howard they took part in every hard-fought battle from 
lyong Island to Yorktown. They were no doubt in this section 
with the army when the Battle of Cooch's Bridge was 
fought. They were always in the vanguard and bore them- 
selves gallantly. 

The pleasant incidents of this day in which the infant 
son of my friend, Mr. Howard DeHaven Ross, and the other 
two handsome boys took part in the unveiling of the monu- 
ment shall ever remain fresh in my mind, and I shall tell 
my children how well they performed their parts. 

I thank the Chairman for this opportunity of meeting 
you, and hope you will come to Maryland, especially on the 
19th of October next, when we will dedicate in Baltimore 
the monument reared by the Maryland Society of the Sons of 
the American Revolution to commemorate the deeds of the sol- 
diers and patriots of Maryland who did so much to bring about 
the establishment of the independence of this great nation. 

Our latchstrings are always on the outside, and especi- 
ally for people from Delaware. ' ' 

Chief Justice lyore: " May I not say for you Mr. War- 
field that we can even do better. Not onl}^ is the latchstring 
in Delaware on the outside, but her doors are always open. ' ' 












• c,/.^ 



^h<<n)-reL^JtJkxrUi^!C^-L.! Tieside.th 



RESOLUTIONS PRESENTED TO CONGRESSMAN BALL. 



OF THE COOCH'S BRIDGE MEMORIAL. 63 

Chief Justice lyore: "We have here a very beautifully 
engrossed set of Resolutions, on the part of the Delaware 
Society, Sons of the American Revolution, thanking Con- 
gressman Ball, for his efHcient aid in helping to get the 
cannon for the monument. They will be presented to him 
at his home, since he is not here." 

RESOLUTIONS OF APPRECIATION 

BY THE DELAWARE SOCIETY, 

SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 



" WhkrKas Congressman ly. H. Ball has very kindly 
endorsed the application of the President of the Delaware 
Society, Sons of the American Revolution to the Honorable, 
the Secretary of the Navy, for the loan of four 30-pounder 
Parrott guns from the Brooklyn Navy Yard, and four 20-ft. 
lengths of studded Navy cable chain from the Boston Navy 
Yard for the decoration of the Monument at Cooch's Bridge, 
Delaware, to mark the spot where the Stars and Stripes 
were first unfurled in battle, September 3d, 1777; and, 

Whb;re;as, Congressman I^. H. Ball has likewise en- 
dorsed the application of the President of the Delaware 
Society, Sons of the American Revolution to the Honorable, 
the Secretary of War, for the donation of two 24 lb. howit- 
zers with carriages, located at Fort Jefferson, Florida, for 
the decoration of Washington Heights on the Brandy wine, 
Wilmington, or General Washington's Headquarters on 
"Quaker Hill," Wilmington, during the war of the Ameri- 



64 PROCEEDINGS A T THE UNVEILING 

can Revolution previous to the Battle of the Brandy wine; 
therefore, be it 

Resolved^ That the thanks of the Delaware Society, 
Sons of the American Revolution be and are hereby extended 
by the Board of Managers of said Society to Congressman 
ly. H. Ball for his very kind endorsement of the several 
applications of the President of this society to the United 
States Government, which endorsement was necessary for 
the securing of the cannon and chain; 

Resolved, That the hearty thanks of the Delaware 
Society, Sons of the American Revolution be and are hereby 
extended to Congressman L^. H. Ball for his manifest patri- 
otic interest in these historic events, which appeal alike to 
every native Delawarean and every true patriotic American; 

Resolved, That these Resolutions be entered on the 
records of the Delaware Society, Sons of the American Revo- 
lution, and that a framed copy of the same be engrossed and 
forwarded to Congressman ly. H. Ball in recognition of his 
valuable services to this Society." 

Signed and Delivered on the Third Day of September, 
Nineteen Hundred and One. 

HOWARD DeHAVEN ROSS, President. 
D. BRAINERD FERRIS, Jr. Secretary. 





-..., \ 



COMMITTEE OF ARRANGEMENTS. 



OF THE COOCH'S BRIDGE MEMORIAL. 65 

Chief Justice lyore: "Before leaving, it is befitting that 
we close these Exercises with a Benediction which will be 
pronounced by the Rev. Thomas C. Potter. I will again 
request that all uncover while receiving the Benediction." 



BENEDICTION. 



' 'The blessing of the God of the Covenant, the God of 
Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob, our fathers' 
God, whom we adore as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be 
with you all. — Ame;n." 



COMMITTEE OF ARRANGEMENTS. 



Chief Justice Chari^es B. Lore, 
Howard De Haven Ross, J. Wii^kins Cooch. 



66 PROCEEDINGS A T THE UNVEILING 

JOINT COMMITTEE. 



Representing the Patriotic Societies and Citizens of the 
State of Delaware. 

Chibjf Justice CharIvKS B. IvORK, Chairman. 

Howard Dk Haven Ross, Vice-Chairman and Treasurer. 

Mrs. Elizabeth Ci^arke Churchman, Secretary. 

Miss Sophia Waples. 

Mrs. EiyizABETH King Anderson. 

Mrs. Carowne Peterson Speakman. 

Mrs. Serena J. Hai.1.. 

Mrs. George C. Hali.. 

Mrs. WiIvWAm M. Drein. 

Mrs. George H. Raymond, 

Miss Esther A. Megear. 

Mrs. Clementina I^ee McIlvaine. 

Mrs. E. Tatnall Warner. 

Mrs. Charles G. Rumford. 

Mrs. Charles H. Miller. 

Miss Anna T. Canby. 

Col. William A. I^aMotte. 

Spots wood Garland, Esq. 

Martin Beadenkopf. 

Rev. Francis M. Munson, IvL. D. 

Rev. Joseph Brown Turner. 

Rev. J. Harry Chesley. 

Chancellor John R. Nicholson. 

Hon. J. WiLKiNS CooCH. 

Capt. Henry Hobart Bellas, U. S. A. 

Harry H. Billany. 

George A. Elliott, Esq. 

Hon. Harry A. Richardson. 

Prof. George A. Harter. 

Prop. A. H. Berlin. 

Henry C. Conrad, Esq. 




LOVING CUP PRESENTED TO COMPATRIOT ROSS. 



OF THE COOCH'S BRIDGE MEMORIAL. 67 

Subscribers To The Cooch's bridge Monument Fund. 



Delaware Society, Sons of the American Revolution: $113.00 
Howard De Haven Ross, President. 
Martin Badenkopf, Treasurer. 
Spotswood Garland, Esq. 
Col. William A. LaMotte. 
Caleb P. Johnson. 
Capt. Henry B. Nones, U. S. N. 
Capt. A. W. Foreman, U. S.V., Manilla, P. I. 
Jesse Allen Colby, Holly Oak. 
Dr. E. S. Anderson, Dover, Vice-President. 
I^awrence B. Jones, Registrar. 
Rev. James Iv. Vallandigham, Newark. 
Calvin C. Thomas. 
Alexander H. I<ord, Baltimore, Md. 
John C. Harkness. 

National Society, Sons of the American Revolution: % 10.00 
Hon. Walter S. lyOgan of New York, Presi- 
dent-General S. A. R., and President Empire 
State Society, S. A. R. 
Howard De Haven Ross, Vice-President-Gen- 
eral S. A. R., and President Delaware So- 
ciety, S. A. R. 

Delaware Society, Daughters of the American Revo- 
lution: $55- 00 
Caesar Rodney Chapter, D. A. R. , Wilmington. 
John Pettigrew Chapter, D. A. R., Milford. 
Col. Hazlett Chapter, D. A. R., Dover. 
Elizabeth Cook Chapter, D. A. R. , Smyrna. 



68 PROCEEDINGS A T THE UNVEILING 

Delaware Society, Children of the American Revolu- 
tion: - - . - $10.00 
Howard De Haven Ross, Jr. $ 5.00 

Delaware Society, Daughters of the Revolution: $50.00 

Mrs. Caroline J. Raymond, State Regent 
Delaware Society D. R., Smyrna, Delaware. 
Mrs. Caroline J. Raymond, Regent George 
Read Chapter, D. R., Smyrna, Delaware. 

Delaware Junior Auxiliary, Sons and Daughters of 

the Revolution: $ 5- 00 

Miss Esther A. Megear, State Director, 
Smyrna, Delaware. 

Society of Colonial Wars in Delaware, - $50.00 

The Delaware Society of Colonial Dames of America, $50.00 
Historical Society of Delaware, - - $50.00 

Delaware State Society of the Cincinnati, - $20.00 

Members of the Delaware Bar: - - $20.00 

Chief Justice Charles B. lyore. 
Francis N. Walker, Esq. 
Lilburne Chandler, Esq. 
Herbert H. Ward, Esq. 
Francis H. Hoffecker, Esq. 
George A. Elliott, Esq. 
David J. Reinhardt, Esq. 
Frank L,. Speakman, Esq. 
Samuel S. Adams, Jr., Esq. 
Winfield S. Quigley, Esq. 
Henry C. Conrad, Esq. 
Edward W. Cooch, Esq. 
William P. Kurtz, Esq. 



OF THE COOCH'S BRIDGE MEMORIAL. 69 

Charles W. Smith, Esq. 

Peter L. Cooper, Jr. , Esq. 

William S. Hilles, Esq. 

John H. Rodney, Esq. 

J. Harvey Whiteman, Esq. 

Harry Emmons, Esq. 

Hugh C. Browne, Esq. 
The New Century Club of Newark, - - $10.00 

Jr. O. U. A. M., of Delaware, - - $64.00 

PERSONAL SUBSCRIPTIONS. 

$109.00 
Mrs. Helen C. Porter, Baltimore, Md. 
Col. Henry A. duPont, Winterthur. 
J. Wilkins Cooch, Cooch's Bridge. 
Thomas J. Craven, Salem, N. J. 
F. William Curtis, Newark. 
Miss Anna T. Canby, Wilmington. 
Mrs. Priscilla H. Richardson, Dover. 
Mrs. Mary B. Donnell, Newark. 
Hon. William F. Causey, Milford. 
Mrs. Annie Whitely I^indsey, Wilmington. 
Miss Sarah H. Balderston, Newark. 
Miss Georgianna T. Martin, Newark. 
Miss Hallie H. Martin, Newark. 
Rev. Thomas C. Potter, Glasgow. 
Dr. John H. Jamar, Elkton, Md. 
John W. Dayett, Cooch's Bridge. 
Dr. John J. Black, New Castle. 
George W. Williams, Newark. 



70 PROCEEDINGS A T THE UNVEILING 

Dr. George A. Harter, Newark. 
Mrs. Alice H. Pennewill, Dover. 
Thomas L. Fleming, Dover. 
John Casson, Dover. 
William Saulsbury, Dover. 
H. I. Beers, Dover. 



Total Cash Subscriptions, $621.00 

Cash Returns from Sale of Official 

Photographs, - - $21.25 

Cash Rebate from Pennsylvania Rail- 
road on Freight, - - $20.79 $42.04 



Total Receipts from all sources, $663.04 



DONATIONS. 



Wright & Son Company, Newark, 

2 bbl. Cement, @ $3-25, - $6.50 

George A. Wolf, Publisher, 

30 Official Photographs, @ $.20, $6.00 

Cash Value of Donations, $12.50 



OF THE COOCH'S BRIDGE MEMORIAL. 71 

EXTRACT FROM AN ADDRESS 

BY J. WILKINS COOCH, 

Delivered at the Celebration held under the Auspices of the 

Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution, at 

COOCH'S BRIDGE, SEPTEMBER 33, 1900: 



"Most writers agree that the first battle in which the 
flag was used was that of the Brandywine, ignoring the 
preliminary fight at Cooch's Bridge. Now if it is an estab- 
lished fact that the flag was at that battle, I claim that it was 
first used at Cooch's Bridge, in Delaware, and in support of 
this theory, present the following: 

The Kncyclopsedia of Delaware says of this fight : ' ' lyord 
Howe now determined to attack Philadelphia and sailed with 
a large fleet from New York to the head of Chesapeake Bay, 
when his army disembarked August 25, 1777. As soon as 
Washington received intelligence of the arrival of Howe's 
army in the Chesapeake, he marched his army through 
Philadelphia to encourage his friends and intimidate the 
disaffected by its numbers and martial appearance. He 
halted for a short time at Brandywine, and thence moved to 
Wilmington, and encamped on the hills around the city. 
Meantime Howe was marching his army to give him battle. 
With one division he marched on the 27 th of August from 
the place of debarkation, to Elk, now called Elkton. On 
the 28th his vanguard occupied Gray's Hill, two miles east 
of it, while Knyphausen moved by Cecil Court House to 



72 PROCEEDINGS AT THE UNVEILING 

within eight miles of the Christiana, and Grant was left with 
six battalions to guard the baggage, and keep open communi- 
cation with the fleet. Generals Cornwallis and Knyphausen 
united their divisions on the 3d of September at Pencader, 
being joined on the 8th by General Grant. During this 
passage of Howe's army through Delaware, they were con- 
stantly annoyed by the Delaware and Maryland militia 
under General Rodney, who kept up a continual skirmish 
with their guards and outposts. A sharp engagement took 
place at Cooch's Bridge between Cornwallis and General 
Maxwell's light corps, the latter retreating across the White 
Clay Creek." 

From the History of Delaware by Thos. J. Scharf , A. M, : 
"General Armstrong with the Pennsylvania militia from 
Wilmington, and General Rodney with the Delaware militia, 
and Generals Green and Weeden, reconnoitred the country 
between Wilmington and the head of Elk. Washington 
proceeded to the scene of operations, and also made a per- 
sonal reconnoisance before the enemy took up their line of 
march. On the 3d of September their lines extended from 
Glasgow, (then called Aikens, or Aiken town,) to Iron Hill. 
On that day a severe skirmish took place between them, and 
the Delaware and Maryland militia, near Cooch's Bridge. 
The Americans lost about 40 in killed and wounded, the 
British loss is unknown. After this engagement the British 
burned Cooch's Mills near Iron Hill, and committed many 
other acts of wanton destruction. 

Howe advanced from the head of Elk to Elkton, Mary- 
land, whence he began to move on September 3d, while 
Washington was still in Wilmington. Howe had 17,000 
picked men, and Washington 11,000." 



OF THE COOCH'S BRIDGE MEMORIAL. 73 

That General Maxwell's force was a large and important 
one, is shown by an extract from a letter from Washington 
to Brigadier General Rodney, dated Head- Quarters, Wil- 
mington, 31st August, 1777: 

' 'As General Maxwell will want persons well acquainted 
with the country to remain with him, in the capacity of 
guides, you will leave him thirty or forty men fit for the busi- 
ness out of the battalions that are now advancing towards the 
enemy. These should be select men who have a thorough 
knowledge of the country, intelligent and of known attach- 
ment and fidelity to the American cause." (This letter in 
full, is found in Scharf's History of Delaware, Vol. I, page 

243)- 

B. J. I/Ossing in his History of the Flag, Cyclopaedia 
of United States History, Vol. I, page 492, says: "It is 
probable that the National Flag was first unfurled in battle 
on the banks of the Brandy wine, September 11, 1777." 
This seems to have been the opinion heretofore most gener- 
ally accepted by the best authorities. 

Col. Robert C. Hall, who is recognized as the historian 
of the U. S. Army, in Vol. Ill, page 465 of Military Essays, 
delivered before the Commandery of the State of Illinois, 
Military Order of the Loyal Legion, says without hesita- 
tion that the stars and stripes were first upheld in battle at 
the Battle of Brandy wine. 

Through the kindness of G. D. Scull of Oxford, En- 
gland, the "Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biogra- 
phy" was furnished with the diary or journal of Captain 
John Montressor, kept during the Revolutionary war. Cap- 
tain Montressor was chief of engineers in Howe's army. 
He was with that army from the time it left New York in 



74 PROCEEDINGS AT THE UNVEILING 

July, 1777, until it reached Philadelphia, September 26th of 
the same year, during the whole of the campaign. The 
following is an extract relating to the fight at Cooch's 
Bridge: 

"September 3d. Weather fine, but cool earl5^ At 
daybreak the whole under march, except two brigades with 
Major General Grant, took the lower road to Christine, by 
way of Aiken's Tavern, in order to avoid Iron Hill. At this 
tavern we were to be joined by the troops under General 
Knyphausen, but did not perceive them. About a mile be- 
yond the country is close — the woods within shot of the road 
frequently in front and flank and in projecting points 
towards the road. Here the rebels began to attack us about 
9 o'clock with a continued, irregular fire for nearly two 
miles. The body of the rebels consisted of 120 men from 
each of the 6 brigades, making 720 men of what they call 
their regulars, together with 1,000 militia and Philadelphia 
I/ight Horse; but the 720 men who were principally engaged 
were opposed by the Chasseurs and i battalion of lyight 
Infantry only; the other battalion of infantry, which was 
sent to surround the rebels, through some mistake was 
led so far to our right as to find an impassable swamp be- 
tween them and the army, which prevented this little 
spirited affair becoming so decisive. The rebels left about 
twenty dead, among which was a Captain of I^ord Sterling's 
Regiment. We had three men killed and twenty wounded, 
amongst whom was Lieut. Haldane, Engineer, and three 
more ofl&cers. The rebel deserters since come in say they 
lost five Captains. This body of the enemy was commanded 
by General Maxwell. At 2 the whole encamped. Head- 
quarters, Aiken's Tavern. I^ord Cornwallis to Cooch's Mill 



OF THE COOCH'S BRIDGE MEMORIAL. 75 

on the little Christiana where the rebels had a post this 
morning which we drove them from." 

"September 4th. Pioneers employed in burying the 
rebels, more being found in the woods. Two of them, 
Captains Dallas and Cummings, lay just beyond the bridge 
at Cooch's Mill." 

To sum up our contention, we find that Washington 
marched through Philadelphia with 11,000 men where he 
had received the flags for his army, and passing through 
Wilmington, the main body encamped near Newport; that 
General Maxwell with a large force, so large that it required 
thirty to forty guides, was sent on to intercept the British 
army; that he met them under Cornwallis at Cooch's Bridge 
where a sharp engagement took place September 3d, eight 
days before the Battle of Brandywine, where the same Gen- 
eral Maxwell led the fight. Certainly it is reasonable to 
believe that so important a division as Maxwell's had a flag, 
and that it must have been used for the first time in battle 
at Cooch's Bridge." 



EXTRACT 
FROM A LETTER OF MAJOR WILLIAM WAYNE 

OP WAYNESBOROUGH, PA. 

President-General of the Society of the Cincinnati: 



"For 123 years, Brandywine has rested in the belief 
that she had given to the flag its baptism in blood, but 
now it seems she must yield to the claim of Cooch's Bridge, 
and from the little data that I can lay my hands upon, more 
than likely it will make good its claim. ' ' 



76 PROCEEDINGS AT THE UNVEILING 

EXTRACT 
FROM A LETTER OF COLONEL FRANCIS C. HOOTON 

OF WKST CHKSTKR, PA. 

One of the Authorities on the History of the Battle of 
Brandy wine : 



' ' Our claim is that the Stars and Stripes were first 
carried in a general engagement at Birmingham. I have 
no doubt that the flag was carried in the skirmishes which 
took place between the British and Americans after the 
landing of the British at the head of Elk and that the flag 
was in evidence at Cooch's Bridge. General Hall states 
that there can be no question but that it was first carried in 
a real battle at Brandy wine." 



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